Rugby: Early start pays dividends

Northland coach Derren Witcombe believes the level of play in the club rugby competitions is higher than last year. Here Kamo and Northland halfback Mac Sykes clears the ball from a ruck. Photo / Ron Burgin

Club rugby players have been given the thumbs up from Northland's ITM Cup coach as the season approaches the midway stage.

Taniwha head coach Derren Witcombe believes the level of play he has seen so far this Bayleys Southern Districts Competition is higher than it was last year.

"From the games I've seen so far I think it has already improved on last year," said Witcombe, who can often be seen patrolling the sidelines of club matches. "The level is growing, which is pleasing."

Of particular interest to Witcombe is how his contracted ITM Cup players are tracking, and in his view they are the stand-out players so far.

"Players that are standing out for me are our contracted boys, which is great - and they didn't last year so it's really good to see our contracted boys and a few others standing up. The more we see them standing out the better, especially physically."

A big part of the Taniwha players' rise is starting pre-season training before Christmas, something Witcombe believes is starting to pay dividends.

With players turning up to play ITM Cup not in top physical condition, Witcombe said something had to change.

"We needed to change something, they were turning up to ITM Cup not at their best. Players were using club rugby to get fit so we decided to get our boys fit for club rugby and I think that has gone a long way towards it.

"Tim Hurst [Taniwha trainer] has done a good job with the physical side. We decided to start early pre-Christmas so I think that has gone a long way to it already. It's going to prevent injuries and we haven't got a lot of injuries yet, whereas last year we did at this point. The bigger picture for the contracted boys is they're going to be fit for us and we'll push them some more."

Contracted players in particular to impress Witcombe so far have been Otamatea's Shane Neville, Matt Moulds and Dan Hawkins - although he added there were others.

Meanwhile, the team to tweak Witcombe's interest so far have been Waipu - with the side sitting pretty near the top four.

"I think Waipu has done pretty well for a group of young men. I think they've exceeded most people's expectations this year already, which is great."

Harding Shield regains prominence

With the Harding Shield entering its 100th year, Northland coach Derren Witcombe is stoked to see buy-in from the clubs - after all, when Northland rugby was strong, Harding Shield rugby was strong.

Last year ITM Cup coaches Witcombe and George Konia said the Harding Shield would be a selection tool for them, and now they believe that message is sinking in.

"The first game isn't until May 17 so we're a month away and teams have been training for a few weeks already. This time last year they weren't getting together until a week before the games - which is great, something has changed," Witcombe noted.

While some are not happy the Bayleys Southern Districts Competition has been shifted forward a month to allow for Harding Shield games, players and coaches are obviously getting behind it.

Witcombe said from where he sits it looks as though players are keen, which hopefully means he will be faced with a tough choice for his last six or so ITM Cup selections.

"We will be making selections from that, we'll be contracting 28-30," Witcombe said, adding that currently they had 23 contacted. "We have a few positions to fill and will be looking at that competition to fill them. The flow-on effect is players who perform will play for the Bs, if they're available, and like last year we'll be picking from there if we have injuries. It's an important competition and it is good people have bought into it."